Heat vs. Pistons Takeaways: Bam Adebayo Bounces Back From Rough Patch

The Miami Heat took down the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, 108-95

Author:
Anthony Pasciolla
Mar 16, 2024 9:51 AM EDT

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Miami Heat

The Miami Heat (36-30) snapped their four-game losing streak on Friday evening against the Detroit Pistons (12-54).

Here's a look at five major takeaways:

1. Bam Adebayo bounced back from his rough patch of games.

Adebayo scored fewer than 20 points in five consecutive matchups prior to the win over Detroit. He appeared in pre-All-Star break form, recording 22 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and two steals on 71.4 percent shooting. The Pistons are the No. 14 seed in the Eastern Conference, but the outing allows Adebayo to begin finding his offensive rhythm once again.

2. Duncan Robinson's strong play coming out of halftime woke up the Heat.

After a strong opening half from Adebayo, which led to a two-point lead, Robinson exploded in the third to propel the Heat's scoring woes. He scored a trio of three-pointers near the end of the quarter to extend their lead out of reach. The 29-year-old sharpshooter finished with 16 points, five assists, and three steals.

3. Caleb Martin is filling a void off the bench in the absence of Tyler Herro and Kevin Love.

Without Herro and Love in the rotation, Martin is stepping up in a variety of areas. He tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 8 of 14 shooting in the win. This level of aggressiveness is needed because Herro tends to attempt the most shots. Not to mention, Love provides a spark from the arc on a regular basis.

4. Jalen Duren continues to show why he is one of the league's best emerging big men.

Coming off a game with 24 points and 23 rebounds, the sophomore center thrived against one of the NBA's top defenders. Duren concluded the evening with 15 points and 17 rebounds on 77.8 percent shooting. At 20 years old, he is showing flashes of a future as one of the top big men.

5. Analyst Tim Legler may have a point when it comes to Jimmy Butler's regular season performances.

ESPN's Legler recently commented on the Heat superstar's lack of success in the regular season. And he isn't wrong.

"I just struggle with the whole "Playoff Jimmy." What about "Regular Season Jimmy" when they need you like [Wednesday] night?" His lackluster performance against the Denver Nuggets urged Legler to make the remark.

Butler scored 14 points on 5 of 11 shooting in 31 minutes of action against the Pistons. Assuming the Heat reach the postseason, Butler will likely have no problem quieting his doubters yet again.